Hinnenkamp an easy choice for April Student of the Month

Well-liked by instructors, students, and coaches on the Cowley College campus, Taylor Hinnenkamp was honored for her hard work and achievements by being named the April Student of the Month.

Hinnenkamp is the daughter of Cory Hinnenkamp and Nicole Renollet of Augusta, KS, and granddaughter of Mike and Micki Hinnenkamp of Benton, KS, and Randy Renollet of Arkansas City. She has a sister, Taryn 16.

Prior to coming to Cowley she attended Augusta High School where she participated in softball, basketball, cross country, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Student Council, and the National Honor Society.

She helped the Augusta High School softball team to a pair of state titles and was a first-team all-league selection all four years.

After high school she chose to come to Cowley on a softball scholarship. The decision to attend Cowley was an easy one.

Hinnenkamp’s parents met while attending Cowley College, plus she had several friends in high school that went on to attend Cowley.

“The whole Cowley campus is like a close knit family,” Hinnenkamp said. “I love Cowley and am not looking forward to leaving.”

At Cowley she is a member of the nationally ranked Cowley softball team, is a Cowley tutor, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and part of the Reverb College Ministry. She was named a First Team All-Academic Team selection in 2018, was named to the President’s Honor Roll.

The accounting major has a grade point average of 4.0.

“There are so many hard working students at Cowley, so this honor means a lot,” Hinnenkamp said. “I take pride in my school work.”

Social Science Department Chair Todd Shepherd has had an opportunity to get to know Taylor through teaching her in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Astronomy.

“She is one of the best students I have ever had,” Shepherd said. “She does not just sit there; she is actively involved in the conversations and other students feed off her enthusiasm.”

Hinnenkamp helped the Lady Tiger softball team place fifth at the 2018 national tournament. She batted .345 as a freshman and was successful on all 12 of her stolen base attempts during the 2018 season. This season, she is batting .383 with a team-leading nine stolen bases.

Lady Tiger softball coach Jenny Hoyt considers Hinnenkamp to be one of the hardest working players she has ever coached.

“I am so proud of Taylor and all that she has accomplished here at Cowley,” Hoyt said. “She is always willing to help her teammates with homework during study hall and other athletes and students on campus during her tutoring session. Taylor is very deserving of this honor; she not only works hard on the softball field but she puts so much work into her academics. I am truly thankful to have coached such a wonderful young lady who strives to be the best at everything she does.”

Away from Cowley, Hinnenkamp volunteered at Angels in the Attic, assisted with a special-needs prom, and has taken time to read to elementary students in Arkansas City.

“Taylor is an outstanding student athlete,” director of early childhood education Janet Davidson said. “She manages her time not only to improve her own performance, abilities, strength and knowledge (course work), but she makes time to help others do the same. Taylor’s character shines through her smile, skills, and work-ethic.”

Hinnenkamp has signed a letter of intent to continue playing softball at Missouri Southern State University and pursue a degree in accounting.